Cloudier Friday as Portland dodges latest round of rain

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- Mostly cloudy skies and relatively cooler temperatures will keep Portland mild on Friday as a wet weather system moves across the west coast.

The change in sky coverage on Friday comes from a low-pressure system moving into northern California. A light drizzle to a sprinkle or two is possible across western Oregon and southwest Washington on Friday morning and early afternoon. Most rain showers will stay south of the metro area today.

A few non-severe thunderstorms are possible later in the day across southwest Oregon. This storm potential stays clear of the Portland, Vancouver area on Friday. Rain remains virtually absent this weekend for much of western Oregon and southwest Washington. Less than a few hundredths of an inch of rain is all that's anticipated from Friday to Sunday night.

Temperatures return to near-average conditions with highs in the lower to mid-60s by Sunday. Next week will start off cooler and cloudier. A few stray, light rain showers are possible through Tuesday. This comes as Portland's rain deficit for the month of April exceeds 1.5 inches.

Another warming and drying trend is expected to take shape across the Pacific Northwest by the middle of next week. Afternoon highs will work towards the upper 70s and low 80s as rain remains absent.